Rory Branagan, detective

With considerable assistance from a sausage dog, a venomous blue-ringed octopus, awesomely competent new neighbor Cassidy Corrigan, and a mom who wields a mean cutting board, 10-year-old Rory kicks off both his detective career and an upcoming series of hard-boiled exploits by nipping a planned wave of food poisoning in the bud. It begins when friendly neighborhood stolen-goods fence Guinea Pig Gilligan's sudden illness prompts an investigation, and ends with a series of stunning twists. Presented Wimpy Kid-style, with big, well-leaded lines of narrative and scowling figures in economically drawn pen-and-ink sketches, the caper hurtles along amid wisecracks, tough talk, suspects, and red herrings aplenty. Readers will wonder why Cassidy, who demonstrates martial arts skills and even possible superpowers and schools Rory in spotting clues, declares herself content with being his sidekick, but they'll thrill to the rough-and-tumble action and applaud the triumphant sleuth's closing declaration that he's ""actually a detective. Good thing, too, as future puzzles, including the sudden disappearance of his dad seven years ago, are lined up in wait.--John Peters Copyright 2019 Booklist

You might not guess, but Rory Branagan is a detective.Rory's dad disappeared seven years ago, and no one will tell Rory whyin fact no one tells him anything. Rory lives with his annoying brother, Seamus, and their mom and Auntie Jo (who is actually just a lodger, not their real aunt); his best friend is Wilkins Welkin, the neighbor's sausage dog. When Cassidy Corrigan (or is it Callaghan?) moves in next door, she suggests Rory become a detective and find out the things no one tells himand she volunteers to be his sidekick. When "Guinea Pig" Gilligan (father to odd neighbor Connor Gilligan) keels over in the street after eating takeout, Rory and Cassidy are on the case. The detective duo checks out the aptly named Deadly Pirate restaurant, where Auntie Jo works. At first, Rory is laughed at, but the mystery deepensbad guys, poison octopuses, deception, betrayaland Mom? Can they sort the case and get Seamus to admit Rory really is a detective? British actor, comic, and writer Clover's foolishly fun detective series ably jumps the pond (there are five of a projected seven out in the U.K.), and fans of 13-Story Treehouse and the like will probably jump for joy. Lazar's scribbly line drawings decorate most pages and often amusingly depict Rory's imaginings. Characters present white.Such fun! And, happily, more to come! (Mystery. 6-11) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

With considerable assistance from a "sausage dog," a venomous blue-ringed octopus, awesomely competent new neighbor Cassidy Corrigan, and a mom who wields a mean cutting board, 10-year-old Rory kicks off both his detective career and an upcoming series of hard-boiled exploits by nipping a planned wave of food poisoning in the bud. It begins when friendly neighborhood stolen-goods fence Guinea Pig Gilligan's sudden illness prompts an investigation, and ends with a series of stunning twists. Presented Wimpy Kid–style, with big, well-leaded lines of narrative and scowling figures in economically drawn pen-and-ink sketches, the caper hurtles along amid wisecracks, tough talk, suspects, and red herrings aplenty. Readers will wonder why Cassidy, who demonstrates martial arts skills and even possible superpowers and schools Rory in spotting clues, declares herself content with being his sidekick, but they'll thrill to the rough-and-tumble action and applaud the triumphant sleuth's closing declaration that he's actually a detective." Good thing, too, as future puzzles, including the sudden disappearance of his dad seven years ago, are lined up in wait. Grades 2-4. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.